More than 100 firefighters from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and soldiers from 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland continue to battle the blaze on Saddleworth Moor that has now entered into its second week.

The devastation left behind by the blaze. Photo: Jamie F

12 fire crews plus specialist appliances are attempting to extinguish the blaze, which at its height covered an area of 6 sq. kilometres. Crews from across the country will be arriving throughout the day to provide additional support.

Assistant County Fire Officer, Dave Keelan, said: “Crews are working in extremely difficult and challenging circumstances. It’s not just the weather that’s difficult but also the geography of the site – getting the equipment, the firefighters and the water up to where the firefighters are is really challenging. But I can’t praise crews enough – they’ve done a fantastic job and are working so hard.

“The temperature is one of the most challenging aspect for firefighters at the moment – working in fire kit with the sun beating down is really difficult and we are rotating them as much as we can

Photo: Jamie F

“It’s really challenging to have resources across two major incidents in Greater Manchester whilst trying to maintain business as usual but we have been extremely fortunate and I thank colleagues from up and down the country who have sent fire engines and officers to support us and also the military who have done a fantastic job supporting us.

“We don’t know the cause of the Tameside incident yet. We have a team of fire investigators doing some work on that but I would just like to urge the public to be really careful with discarded cigarettes and glass bottles – none of us want to destroy the wildlife and the natural beauty that we have got around us in Greater Manchester so if the public can take extra care when they are out and about in areas like this it would be much appreciated.”

Advice from Public Heath England remains the same – residents in areas affected by smoke should stay indoors, keep their doors and windows closed, and tune in to the local radio station for advice and information. Motorists who have to travel through the smoke should keep windows closed and keep their air vents closed. If people need to be outdoors, they are advised to avoid areas affected by any smoke or ash, or to limit the time that they spend in them.

Smoke can irritate air passages, the skin and the eyes leading to coughing and wheezing, breathlessness and chest pain. It can also worsen existing problems such as asthma and people with asthma should carry their inhaler with them at all times. Anyone concerned about their symptoms should contact their GP or the NHS 111 service.

The fire service are asking anyone to donate items that are urgently needed to Stalybridge Fire Station. They urgently need sun cream, inspect repellant, baseball caps and socks.

🚨🚨DONATIONS🚨🚨 We are in urgent need of the following at Stalybridge Community Fire Station, SK15 1RF:- Sun cream-…